District Governor Rick Sterne, January 2013
PRESIDENTIAL CITATION
January is the half-way point of our Rotary year. Now is the time to review the progress on our Rotary goals for the year and lay out a detailed plan to achieve them as planned. It is very important that we focus on the Presidential Citation criteria as the deadline for submissions is March 31st, which gives us about two months to achieve it. The Presidential Citation is recognition from Rotary International President Sakuji Tanaka to your entire Club. His criteria for this year’s citation are Peace through Service and the three areas of focus of the RI Strategic Plan. Think about of how proud your Club will be receiving a Citation this year from President Tanaka.
LIGHTHOUSE AWARD
At the same time, you should review how your Club is doing towards receiving our District Lighthouse Award this year. Where do you sit on your RI Foundation, Polio Plus, and membership goals? The deadline for the Lighthouse Award is also March 31st. These Awards will be presented at a special Awards Luncheon on Sunday June 9, 2013 at Salvatore’s Italian Garden Restaurant in Buffalo. Plan to bring many members of your Club to the luncheon to receive these well-deserved recognitions. This luncheon will be held in conjunction with the District Governor Changeover.
ROTARY AWARENESS MONTH
January is Rotary Awareness month. It is a time to focus on learning more about Rotary and your fellow Rotarians. Many Clubs are holding socials and dinners this month to promote Rotary fellowship. Area 11 held another of their Mix n’ Mingle evenings. These are great opportunities to focus on the first HIGH FIVE! goal of “Let’s have fun in Rotary”. These events also help cure the winter blues. Be sure to have a Classification talk from one of your members. Wear your Rotary pin and name badge with pride. Read the Rotarian magazine. Visit the District and RI websites at rotary7090.org and rotary.org. Do a makeup at another Rotary Club. Promote Rotary, your Club and your projects.
ROTARIANS FOR PEACE SYMPOSIUM
The multi-district Rotarians for Peace Symposium will be held Saturday, March 2, 2013 (8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.) at the Royal York Hotel in downtown Toronto. Consider joining Rotarians from Districts across the US and Canada for an extraordinary learning and inspirational experience.
Learn about peace, development and global health – locally as well as internationally - and spend time with an incredible group of people who are changing the world.
Rotary International President Sakuji Tanaka will kick off a day of captivating presentations and motivational stories.
Our honoured guests will include:
· Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, "The Gaza Doctor" & the author of I Shall Not Hate
· Raseema Alam, a Rotary Peace scholar with over 15 years of experience in developing countries.
· Dr. Bob Scott, a leader in Rotary’s battle against polio
· Wilfred Wilkinson, Past President of Rotary International
· and Master of Ceremonies Suhana Meharchand, host CBC New Now.
There will be breakout sessions on peace in our schools, gang violence, medicine in conflict zones and more!
In addition to all the above, a lunch is included all for the amazing price of $100 per person!!
This is a symposium not to be missed! PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND.
Register to attend the multi-district Rotarians for Peace Symposium on March 2 in Toronto on the rotary7090.org website.
GSE TEAM
Our outgoing GSE Team will be travelling to the Philippines next month. Our extraordinary team is:
Team Leader Sherry Kerr Brantford Rotary Club
Team Member Michelle Sass Brantford Rotary Club
Team Member Jessica Manuel St Catharines Rotary Club
Team Member Megan MacLeod Buffalo Rotary Club
Team Member Kristen Smith St Catharines South Rotary Club
This will be the last time that a GSE Team as we know it, will be doing a month long cultural exchange to another country. Going forward under Future Vision the emphasis will be on Vocational Training Teams. Be sure to invite this team to visit your Club after they return mid-March to share their experiences.
In closing I’m pleased to report that the Rotary Clubs of District 7090 are outstanding and doing tremendous work. Thank you for the privilege of serving as your District Governor.
HIGH FIVE!
Rick Sterne
District Governor
Best of Friends District 7090